He will keep His Promises
January 24, 2020
Commentary
This psalm begins with David’s desire to build the temple. When he became king he built a beautiful palace, but it troubled him that the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s presence among his people, remained in a tent. The opening verses tell of David’s intention to build a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. He could not sleep well until he had done his best to provide a place for the ark. Then he had to find the ark and bring it to its proper place of worship. You might recall that the arc had been lost in battle with the Philistines.
This psalm confirms that God’s promises will be fulfilled no matter what the circumstances are. God had made specific promises to King David about his dynasty, promises regarding the sanctuary and mount Zion which would be blessed with food for the poor, salvation for the priests and joy of the saints (vv. 15-16). It seems that the promise that David’s sons would sit on Israel’s throne forever is referred to by the psalmist (II Sam. 7:8-29). This promise had two parts:
1. David’s descendants would perpetually rule over Israel if they followed God.
2. David’s royal line would never end.
The first part was conditional. If the kings obeyed God, their dynasty would continue. Under David’s reign his territory expanded tenfold. Israel became a powerful nation and occupied almost all the land God had promised to Abraham. The second part of the promise was unconditional. It was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, a descendant of David who reigns forever. The horn to grow for David refers to one of his mighty descendants. David’s son, Solomon who was indeed a glorious king. (I Kings 3:10-14), but these verses look ahead even further to another descendant of David, Jesus the Messiah (Matt. 1:17). The power, might, and glory of the Messiah will last forever.
Application
Whatever my circumstances are at any given moment I can rest in the fact that God fulfills His promises. His program is moving ahead on schedule. Just as he blessed David, He will bless me.
Psalms 132:1– 18 (NET)
1 O Lord, for David’s sake remember all his strenuous effort,
2 and how he made a vow to the Lord, and swore an oath to the Powerful One of Jacob.
3 He said, “I will not enter my own home, or get into my bed.
4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep, or my eyelids to slumber,
5 until I find a place for the Lord, a fine dwelling place for the Powerful One of Jacob.”
6 Look, we heard about it in Ephrathah; we found it in the territory of Jaar.
7 Let us go to his dwelling place. Let us worship before his footstool.
8 Ascend, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength.
9 May your priests be clothed with integrity. May your loyal followers shout for joy.
10 For the sake of David, your servant, do not reject your chosen king.
11 The Lord made a reliable promise to David; he will not go back on his word. He said, “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and the rules I teach them, their sons will also sit on your throne forever.”
13 Certainly the Lord has chosen Zion; he decided to make it his home.
14 He said, “This will be my resting place forever; I will live here, for I have chosen it.
15 I will abundantly supply what she needs; I will give her poor all the food they need.
16 I will protect her priests, and her godly people will shout exuberantly.
17 There I will make David strong; I have determined that my chosen king’s dynasty will continue.
18 I will humiliate his enemies, and his crown will shine.”